Hi everyone, long time CL poster here (left several years ago). Great to discover the community is still thriving! Since there are a lot of smart people on this board, I would appreciate your insight into a project I am working on...
After this year's Eastern Conference playoffs, much of the media, analysts, and fans were calling LBJ the GOAT or a consensus top 2 player of all time. While I actually agree that LeBron is one of the greatest ever, it frustrated me that people tended to leave Kobe out of the discussion completely, sometimes calling him a fringe top 10 all time player. There is definitely a valid argument to put LeBron ahead of Kobe all time, and vice versa, but I don't think its completely fair to act as though he doesn't belong in the debate, and call anyone who says otherwise a "Kobe-stan." I also think most of the arguments used are very stats based and just shallow in general, as is with most media these days.
I'm working on looking more into this guy. I lost track of him a year or two ago, but the numbers show slow improvement leading to his senior year where he probably took a minor step back.
Here's some old videos from DraftExpress a couple years ago.
To be honest, I don't know if those same concerns (and strengths) exist anymore. I've been watching mostly Moe Wagner stuff. I'll try to get some insight on Pope this week.
Loving the UDFA guys we signed to go along with Wagner and Mykhailiuk. Not to mention, Bonga who'se getting another year of seasoning in Europe. Hopefully we set him up to keep him in tune with our system etc. We addressed a player at every position.
Plan A1: superteam of Kawhi (trading some of the young core), LeBron and George.
Plan A2: LeBron and George and magically retaining Julius.
... Plan A fails, LeBron stays with the Cavs, or joins another team like the Rockets or 76ers. Also Paul George keeps the bromance going with Westbrook. Pop and Kawhi make amends...
Now what's plan B? Do we continue to just build around the core with complementary pieces or do we go after boogie, etc???
